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Briony Allen

@brionya.bsky.social
664 followers 207 following 76 posts

Former devolution and policy making research assistant at @instituteforgov.bsky.social | Views my own

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Reposted by Briony Allen
Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 14/03/2025
[NEW] How can the government support better decision making in mayoral combined authorities? Our new report examines the government’s proposed shift to majority voting and the support that is needed to enhance decision making in MCAs Read in full 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
How the government can support better decision making in mayoral combined authorities | Institute for Government
Making England’s ‘devolution revolution’ a reality.
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Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
It's a local - central - local government sandwich this week from @instituteforgov.bsky.social Following our event on Tuesday on effective decision making in MCAs with @jimmcmahon.co.uk, the PM on the pod yesterday, today we have a new report examining the shift to simple majority voting in MCAs 👇
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Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
📣New report from me & @brionya.bsky.social MCAs’ decision-making is often limited by unanimous voting rules Effective decision making for key strategic plans requires a shift to simple majority voting alongside greater capacity and accountability www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
How the government can support better decision making in mayoral combined authorities | Institute for Government
Making England’s ‘devolution revolution’ a reality.
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Sarah Routley @sarahroutley.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
On 1 May voters will be heading to the polls to elect the mayors of the West of England, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Hull and East Yorkshire, and Greater Lincolnshire. At the @instituteforgov.bsky.social we have been building a picture of the candidates they will be choosing between. 🧵
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
This did turn into a reading list as well as a commentary on the webinar, but the team does have great content so please check it out, and hopefully will answer some of the many unanswered questions!
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Shivani Chivukula @shivanichivukula.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Yesterday the Cabinet Office public bodies team published their 2022/23 ALB report. It's a really interesting and well-visualised piece of work. Check it out here: co-public-bodies.github.io/ALB_Landscap...
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@tompope.bsky.social London operating on a different constitutional basis, means that it is easy to extend some powers but harder to extend others. @rebeccamckee.bsky.social rachet mechanism being set up- very interesting. And the devolve or explain principle - formal request to take on powers.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@milliemitchell.bsky.social our resident London expert gets a shout out (she is also an expert on MDCS and recently published a very cool paper, find it here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...)
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Devolution and urban regeneration | Institute for Government
More mayoral development corporations are key to getting Britain building.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@matthewfright.bsky.social timetable qs interesting- when will the Bill come? Once clearer on parliamentary timetable and mechanisms for reorganisation, we will know more. Boundary alignment tricky- but government has made clear they will factor this into decision making.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Moving onto some of the audience questions @tompope.bsky.social disappointed that tourist tax wasn't part of the EDWP offer- could be an opportunity to test fiscal devolution. @rebeccamckee.bsky.social MHCLG not worst offender of small funding pots, not clear how EDWP changes will be implemented.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@matthewfright.bsky.social now on unitarisation, which could be a 'webinar in its own right'. Questions on sequencing have been left unanswered. Wondering what unitarisation means? See www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Local government unitarisation | Institute for Government
Unitarisation is a type of local government reorganisation that replaces separate county and district councils with a single tier of local authorities
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@matthewfright.bsky.social describing the importance of scrutiny reforms- he's written a great comment piece on this very topic www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/devo..., and I've written on it in our response to the EDWP www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/engl...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
More devolution is welcome – but it needs strengthened metro mayor accountability | Institute for Government
Current accountability arrangements in England’s mayoral combined authorities are underpowered.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@rebeccamckee.bsky.social flagging importance of capacity. Analytical and research support so combined authority members can be more certain that the decisions are based on robust evidence and solid principles. EDWP has good stuff on secondments and the mayoral data council, but further to go.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
However, our research found that decisions rarely fell at the voting stage- consensus building behind the scenes was critical. This is likely to still be the case (South Yorkshire for example already requires simple majority + mayor for many decisions, but consensus building has still been critical)
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Our project has focused on decision making and voting arrangements on the combined authority boards. EDWP has set out that voting should move to simple majority + mayor, which could remove the current veto power of individual councils over strategic decisions.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@rebeccamckee.bsky.social acknowledges that I have spent the last few months reading MCA constitutions- knowledge that she describes as 'redundant but... sure it will be useful some day' after the EDWP changes
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@tompope.bsky.social the focus has been on how mayors can contribute to the government's growth mission but they have roles to play in other missions. The retrofit pilot has been made more permanent, and is now a commitment in that space.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@tompope.bsky.social duty to develop SDS underpinning local transport plans is also important, and fact mayors will get call in powers (like the mayor of London currently has). The broad bucket of powers are correct, mayors at that strategic levels can make a set of interrelated decisions.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@tompope.bsky.social it is as much about where is getting new powers as about what those new powers are. Trailblazer agreement with GM, with an integrated pot of funding. Extending this to other mayoralties is perhaps more important than new power announcements-flexibility is important.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@matthewfright.bsky.social setting out what we mean by 'completing the map'- which he happens to have a whole report on www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...! The Devolution Priority Programme was launched in the EDWP, Matthew sets out some areas he thinks will be first on the gov's list
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
How the government can extend devolution to the whole of England | Institute for Government
Half of England's population currently is not covered by any form of devolution.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@akashpaun.bsky.social flags our excellent report (disclaimer, I am a co-author) where we set out how we thought the government should 'complete' English devolution www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
How the next government should complete the job of English devolution | Institute for Government
The next government must extend devolution to 85% of England to deliver meaningful and balanced economic growth.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@rebeccamckee.bsky.social reflects on the mood in Westminster. Feels like it lacks a 'catchy phrase', but local government reorganisation has had a big splash. It is quite radical, with lots of positive and negative reactions. The diagnosis of the problem seems to have been welcomed.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@tompope.bsky.social was at the launch. There was good representation from the metro mayors and councillors and there was a positive mood, although maybe a feeling there wasn't anything massively new.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
@akashpaun.bsky.social, @tompope.bsky.social, @rebeccamckee.bsky.social and @matthewfright.bsky.social are our expert panel, and for the next hour will talk through some of the themes of the English devolution white paper (EDWP). Submit, and upvote, questions you're interested in!
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
If for some reason you're not able to tune into the webinar, I'll be posting some highlights below ✨ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
What does Labour’s devolution white paper mean for England? | Institute for Government
IfG experts discuss the government's plans to extend devolution across England and the challenges ahead.
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Millie Mitchell @milliemitchell.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Make sure to tune into our webinar this morning (9:30-10:30) for our take on the English Devolution white paper and a chance to get your questions answered! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
What does Labour’s devolution white paper mean for England? | Institute for Government
IfG experts discuss the government's plans to extend devolution across England and the challenges ahead.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
In just over an hour- make sure to tune in if you’ve got any English devolution white paper questions!
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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 17/12/2024
Nine things we learned from the English devolution white paper The IfG's devolution team explore what the white paper does and does not contain, and what challenges lie ahead for the government www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/engl...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Nine things we learned from the English devolution white paper | Institute for Government
What the white paper does and does not contain, and what challenges lie ahead for the government.
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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Yesterday I spoke to ITV meridian news about the implications of the new English Devolution White Paper for the South East - drawing on a recent @instituteforgov.bsky.social report
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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Interesting move in Scotland - will have to wait and see how it's enforced re personal devices... the UK government would fall apart, I think, if they tried it - but maybe they'll follow suit! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Scottish government to ban WhatsApp for official business
The announcement comes after it was revealed ministers deleted messages exchanged during the pandemic.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Slido link here: app.sli.do/event/6EW2yr...
app.sli.do
Join Slido: Enter #code to vote and ask questions
Participate in a live poll, quiz or Q&A. No login required.
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Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
A thought from me on the English Devolution White Paper out yesterday...
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
*Disclaimer, cannot guarantee this- percentage of questions answered will depend on the number of questions asked and time available.
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
At 9:30 tomorrow @akashpaun.bsky.social, @tompope.bsky.social, @rebeccamckee.bsky.social and @matthewfright.bsky.social will be answering all* your questions on the English devolution white paper. Submit your questions on slido (can be anonymous) or put it in the replies and I'll pass it on!
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Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
I'm on the train back from the launch of the devolution white paper, and finally getting a chance to read the document properly! A few thoughts, based on past @instituteforgov.bsky.social research. 1/
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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 16/12/2024
"The government can and should go further in future, but this framework represents a strong base to build on." @tompope.bsky.social, IfG Deputy Chief Economist, gives his verdict on today's devolution white paper and what it means for growth.
"This represents a major transfer of powers to combined authorities across England. And those powers are exactly the ones you would expect should drive growth, such as skills, transport, housing and innovation. The government can and should go further in future, but this framework represents a strong base to build on."

Thomas Pope, Deputy Chief Economist
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
May no one else have to endure the pain of WMCA's A-F voting requirements.
A screenshot of page 19 of the West Midland Combined Authority constitution which sets out voting requirements for different decisions
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Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
Well that's much bolder than expected on voting requirements! @brionya.bsky.social time to archive the many, many CA constitutions you've had to read this year?
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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
Today the government will launch its English Devolution White Paper. On Wednesday we will analyse the implications in this webinar. While we wait on the govt announcement here is a run down of recent @instituteforgov.bsky.social devolution work
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Jennifer Williams @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
Excl: Government will move to scrap district councils in its devolution white paper on Monday, sparking the biggest local government reorganisation in 50 years on.ft.com/3VBH0ui
on.ft.com
District councils face scrapping in major overhaul of English local government
[FREE TO READ] Devolution white paper aims to create larger authorities and more elected mayors
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Paddy McAlary @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
1. On a bright November morning, the final tranche of spad data for the Sunak government was released, completing 14 years of Conservative (and coalition) spad data. At @instituteforgov.bsky.social we’ve crunched the numbers – here’s what we found - www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/14-y...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Five things we learnt from 14 years of Conservative special advisers | Institute for Government
The Cabinet Office’s next data release will give us the first clues of what the Labour spad cohort looks like.
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Millie Mitchell @milliemitchell.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Today the @instituteforgov.bsky.social has published my research into the role that mayors can play to help 'get Britain building'. A 🧵on what the research found
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Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Excellent new report from my colleague @milliemitchell.bsky.social on the impact of mayoral development corporations. The report sets out some key lessons for mayors, drawing on 6 case studies of MDCs from across England.
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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
New - bad - figures have just been published on the schools spending deficits that councils have Seven out of 10 LAs now have a cumulative deficit, with the total across these LAs leaping to £2.1bn (£1.7bn net deficit across all LAs) – largely as a result of SEND spending
A column chart from the Institute for Government showing the cumulative schools budget deficit of local authorities with a deficit, 2015/16–2023/24 (2023/24 prices), in which the deficit has reached £2.1bn in 2023/24
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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Today the Northern Ireland Assembly votes on whether it will continue with post-Brexit trading arrangements. For the low down on today's democratic consent motion debate here is a summary of a great @instituteforgov.bsky.social explainer
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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Interesting to see this in the Plan for Change doc.
Text saying: "For the first time we will strategically join up decisions on housing, business growth and infrastructure at both a national and local level, with the Westminster government’s industrial,
housing and infrastructure strategies aligning with the local growth plans and strategic development plans led by mayors."
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Briony Allen @brionya.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Lovely to go on the Dirleton Solar Walk and see some of what @bensutlieff.bsky.social has been up to 🪐 Would definitely recommend, and Neptune is near a great garden centre if you need cake motivation.
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Sarah Routley @sarahroutley.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill passed its second reading by 330 votes to 275 this afternoon. Adding a devo spin to the @instituteforgov.bsky.social’s analysis, I’ve been taking a look at how MPs across the four nations voted today and what this could mean for its future. 🧵
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Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Amid the discussion of citizens' assemblies and the assisted dying bill, some thoughts... CAs can be a v useful tool to understand what the public think on a complex issue. We know participants can get to grips with technical detail and good facilitation can ensure high quality deliberation.
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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
With plans for reorganisation of some local government areas expected in the upcoming English Devolution White Paper - we have a newly updated @instituteforgov.bsky.social explainer outlining all you need to know about "unitarisation" 🧵
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